LINCOLNVILLE — For a man who knows just about everything going on in town, and can anticipate what’s coming down the pike – whether it’s an emergency, town vote or community development — the people of Lincolnville managed to startle, and delight, him June 7, clear out of the blue.

Select Board members Steve Hand, Ladleah Dunn, Keryn Laite, Jr., and Josh Gerritsen, along with Town Administrator David Kinney, made a stealth arrival at Mike’s Align and Repair, on Route 1 at Lincolnville Beach, where Eugley was busy working on vehicles, as he normally does on a Wednesday at his business.

Vicki, Mike’s wife, was already at the garage, but that was not unusual – she keeps the office running in an orderly fashion, so nothing was suspect in that regard.

“He was most definitely surprised,” said Kinney.

The annual dedication of a town report to a local citizen is a chance to honor those in the community who go above and beyond to help in all kinds of capacities.

 Lincolnville’s 2023 Town Report reads:

  This year Mike has retired from being a firefighter.  He will tell you, only if you ask, it was 40 years but we all know it was much more than that. 

While he returned to Lincolnville after graduating college in 1983 and restarted his service with the Fire Department thus making it 40 years, Mike grew up with his grandfather (Bertrand) as Fire Chief and then his father (Millard), so the fire department was in his blood when he was born.   

Mike served as Fire Chief for 14 years stepping back from that role in 2008 but continued with the department until now. 

So unfortunately, 2023 will find the Town without a Eugley for the first time since the Fire Department was first created.

Along the way and in addition to his firefighting and operating a successful local business, Mike found the time to get married to Vicki Butler.  Together they raised two children Kristen and Andrew. 

The kids grew up in the fire department, and had to go to fires if they were with their dad when a call came in, sometimes having to sit in the fire truck ("and don't touch anything") while the Department was fighting the fire.  And the children rode in the fire truck in more parades than they could count. 

Kristen and Andrew grew up knowing that if a call came in, Dad would be missing whatever was going on whether it be holidays, birthday parties, school events, etc.  

This is what it means to have a firefighter in the family, and he was very dedicated.  He never thought twice about going.  The call came in and Mike headed out.

We hope in “retirement” that Mike gets more of a chance to spend time with his wife, son Andrew, daughter Kristen, son-in-law Carl, and grandkids Anna and Henry.

We are especially grateful to Mike for his dedication to our community.  The Town of Lincolnville is a better and safer place for all to live due to his efforts.